In the Long Run

Wim Hof of the Netherlands set a world record yesterday by staying in an outdoor ice bath for 72 minutes. The day before, I was intrigued when I saw this man take a mini ice bath (standing a mere 40 minutes submerged neck to toe in 1300 pounds) on a morning news program.

Wim believes cold is a noble force and brings about good energy, and in fact, suffers no ill effects from the ice baths. He says he controls his body temperature through mind-body meditation.

Although I would never subject myself to such an exercise, I have my own mind-body challenge going on currently in the Pilates class I teach. As the instructor, I’m supposed to help the class participants bring their minds and bodies in harmony, focusing intently on proper execution of each exercise, and blocking out distractions.

This mind-body connectivity is difficult enough in optimum conditions, and I’m finding it quite a task during the current renovation at the gym where I teach. My class is meeting temporarily in half of a full-sized gym, the other half being a make-shift weight room separated from us only by a canvas curtain. The other day, even as I admonished my class to “connect your minds with what your bodies are doing in space”, I found my mind wandering.

We pumped our arms vigorously during the trademark Pilates One Hundred, and I heard the radio blaring from the weight room on the other side of the curtain. My supervisor had declined my request to turn off the sound system during the class, and she had suggested that the radio would be a true test of our ability to stay in the "mind-body zone". I almost giggled aloud when I recognized Kenny Loggins belting out “Danger Zone”, and quickly tried to refocus.

I cued a few more exercises, and I thought I was back on track. Then somewhere around the Swan Dive and Swimming exercises, I caught myself listening to the radio again. This time it was Gwen Stefani advising, “Don’t speak….don’t tell me ‘cause it hurts…” Yes, some of the Pilates exercises kind of hurt, I thought. Well, not really hurt...maybe cause some tension and strain. But it’s all good. A strong core is such an advantage and can really…..grrrrrrrr! I’m off in left field again! Refocus.

I was a mind-body machine through the Leg Lift Series, and even through Leg Pull Front. We were on the Full-Rollover/Full Rollup superset, with just one exercise to go. But it was no use. I heard Bon Jovi appropriately summing up my whole class, “We’re halfway there….living on a prayer.” I was halfway focused, halfway connected, and had half a prayer of staying in the mind-body zone.

Obviously I have quite a way to go to reach the Zen-control of Wim Hof. His next goal is to run a marathon in shorts at the North Pole. Here’s a song for you, Wim; try staying focused as it replays over and over in your head: “You’re cold as ice…you’re willing to sacrifice…”

Posted by Cyppy at 9:00 PM